Vitor Matos | We have to keep pushing ourselves

Vitor Matos wants his Swansea City to take another step in their development when they take on promotion-chasing Middlesbrough at the Swansea.com Stadium this evening (5.30pm).

The Swans host Boro on the back of a dramatic 3-3 draw at Sheffield United on Friday, where they fought back from 3-1 down with 20 minutes to play to secure a point at Bramall Lane.

They return to home soil having lost just one of the last 11 games on home soil.

That solitary loss came against another promotion contender in Coventry and, while his side are firmly ensconced in mid-table, the Swans boss wants his side to show they still have plenty to fight for and plenty to take on because he and the players do not want to let the campaign fizzle out. 

"We have to all understand that the process of building something does not have a start and an end, it is always happening," he said.

"People may ask about looking to next season, but the process is happening now every time we train and every time we play.

"It doesn't start in pre-season, it's about now. It's about how we represent this club, how we represent our fans and I really liked the mentality we showed to fight back on Friday.

"Whatever our results, whatever is to come, we still have a big responsibility to produce performances and find ways to compete. This game against Middlesbrough is no different.

"It's an important game for them as they are fighting for promotion, but it is very important for us too.

"They are a really good team who like to dominate with the ball and creating overloads by having a number of players close to the ball.

"This is something we will have to be ready for, but also understanding that in those moments there will be opportunities for us, as well."